Saturday 22 March 2008

Praise God for another day of ministry and blessing! Up early after a good night of sleep, most of our bodies have finally adjusted to the time shift and altitude (South Africa is about the same elevation as Denver, Colorado). We started off by heading north to the town of Germiston with Pastor Mike Neilson from Community Bible Church. We assembled downtown in a public market (see photos) where Mike used a storyboard and other tools to draw a crowd and share the gospel. As he finished his challenge, the team mingled with the dispersing crowd and passed out Gospel tracts and engaged many people in conversation. It was an exciting and eye-opening experience.

Following a quick drive-thru ice cream cone at McDonald's, we headed to lunch at Mike's house (Dessert before lunch? None of the kids seemed to mind). After lunch, we were planning on heading to a local park to present the Gospel to the children who normally gather there, but a midday shower meant the kids would probably not be at the park and the grass would be too wet and muddy to use. So, on the way back to camp, we stopped off at a mall for some shopping.

For the evening, John had invited several of the youth groups he serves to a pizza party at his home. It was great for the team to meet about 30 other teens and youth leaders from the area, most of whom we will get to know even better at the Battle Zone Camp next week. We welcomed them with the classic TKCS game, "Chicken in the Hen House" while our new friend Clayton, a youth leader from Bosmont Church (we'll be at their church next Saturday) taught us a classic Zulu dance (we're hoping to post the video soon). The words are as follows:

Vulumthande
Vulumthande
Mye, Mye
Mye, Mye

Translated it means:

God loves you and I love you,
And that's the way it should be.
We love each other like sister and brother,
And that's the way it should be.

Throughout the evening, the team also made their first round of calls home. All-in-all, we had a great time of fellowship, playing soccer, ping pong, pool, and even "mafia." Now, it's off to bed to rest up for a busy Easter Sunday tomorrow.

Join with us in praising God for several things:

• The opportunity to share the gospel with many in Germiston
• Making more and more friends with brothers and sisters in Christ
• Last night, we prayed for Courtney's future brother-in-law whom it was believed would be having his tour of duty in Iraq extended. However, Courtney found out today that he's home in the states! Praise God.
  

Please, also join us in praying for some other things:

• Like the England team, we've also had a run in with some "dental complications." Trevor chipped a tooth yesterday and we're looking into getting some dental work done here. Pray for his comfort and that all will work out.
• Pray that the seeds of truth sown today will bear fruit in God's timing.
• Pray for our ministry opportunities tomorrow.
  

God is so good! We're missing home, family (and the NCAA tournament) but seeing God do great things here. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else than in the center of His Will.